To be fair, The Orphan's Tales is Valente's first major work through a major publisher. It's also her most accessible thus far. Her previous works were all published through a smaller, independent press. And I'll be frank and say that her debut, The Labyrinth, went right over my head. I honestly think I'm too stupid to understand that book. I have no shame admitting that. But The Orphan's Tales incorporate the best things about her independent press works while presenting it in a way that's more easily consumed and processed.